Former General Workers' Union deputy president Helen Mallia has been appointed Commissioner for the Elderly, Parliamentary Secretary for Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Aging  Justyne Caruana announced today.

Ms. Mallia will serve for a three year term and will preside over the  Council for Older Persons, as stipulated in the recently-introduced Commissioner for Older Persons Act.

Dr Caruana said that Ms Mallia was selected on the basis of her activism and trade union background.

This comes after the introduction of the Commissioner for Older Persons Act.

The Commissioner's duties involve the promotion of human rights and interests of the elderly, fighting discrimination, encouraging ethical practices, promote UN principles, and analyse  the impact of decisions on elderly people.

Ms.Mallia would also be tasked with investigating allegations of abuse and report her findings to the police.

The other members sitting on this Council are Marvin Formosa on behalf of the National Commission for Active Ageing, Anton Cremona and Anthony Mulè Stagno on behalf of National Council of the Elderly and Brian Farrugia, Joseph Xerri and Godfrey Xuereb.

The office will be granted a budget of €80,000.